Tape perforator



Jan. 14, 1964 E. J. DRUAN JR.. ETAL TAPE PERFORATOR 3 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed Nov. 24. 1961 ERNEST J. DRUAN, JR. FRANCOIS R. GRUBER W, W

ATTORNEY Jan. 14, 1964 Filed Nov, 24. 1961 E. J. DRUAN, JR., ETAL3,117,717

TAPE PERFORATOR 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TORS ERNEST J. DRUAN,JR.FRANCOIS R. GRUBER BY W, W \P 7% ATTORNEYS Jan. 14, DRUANJR" ETAL TAPEPERFORATOR Filed Nov. 24, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 lob-1 IO2-q I03 I04 1I05-1 IO6-W IO7-A I08 Rlgg R2gg R35; R44, I RSQL R645 R74; R8

1 L FIG 5 E I4I LE2 I09 L 810 I43 I39 i L "0 m 1 -d DRIVE PULSE A PUNCHSOLENOIDB PUNCH MOTION C SWITCH H4 D RELAY ARMATURES-E FEED SPROCKETSOLENOID F FEED SPROCKET ADVANCE 6 TIME INVENTORS ERNEST d. DRUAN, JR.FIG 6 FRANCOIS R.GRUBER ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,117,717 TAPEPEKFQRATOR Ernest J. Druan, .lr., Bodford, and Francois R. Gruber,

North Wilmington, Mass, assignors to Automation ResearchCorporation,Arlhigron, Mass, a corporation of Massachusetts FiledNov. 24, 1961, Scr.No. 154,714 '7 Claims. ((31. 234 168) This invention relates in generalto information recording apparatus and in particular to an automaticallycontrolled tape perforator.

The concept of recording information on tape by means of codedperforations punched in the tape is quite old. In fact, this concept isembodied-in some of the earliest recording systems. In the oldersystems, however, the requirements of speed, efficient use of tape andsize of equipment were seldom very stringent. In more modern systen.s,all of these requirements have come to be considered of primeimportance. More sophisticated encoding and decoding mechanisms havebeen developed, and the amount of information stored on a given area oftape has risen a hundredfold. At the same time, available space in manyapplications has been so drastically reduced, that a compact device isessential. Still other requirements have been imposed such as quieterand more reliable operation.

It is, therefore, a primary object of the present invention to improvevinformation recording apparatus, particularly tape perforatingmechanisms.

Another object of this invention is tosimplify and reuce the cost oftape perforating devices.

Still another object of this invention is to improve the reliability andquiet the operation or tape perforating machines.

A further object of this invention is the automatic control oftheadvance of a tape in a tape perforating machine, manual overridingcontrol being available without load on the automatic control.

Among the features of the invention is the incorporation of a group ofsimple, straight and identical lever linkages between solenoids andpertorator punches, all enclosed in a compact container on which ismounted its own source of ower. The tape perforating machine alsoutilizes the punch kickback lever to perform a second function toincrease speed of operation. This second function is the actuation of anescapement ratchet to permit instant advancement of the tap beingpunched. The escapernent mechanism is, moreover, provided with afriction drive whi h minimizes noise of operation and pr rides morereliable mechanical operation. Although feed mechanism is automatic innature and reto electrical s'anals, a manual feed knob and g are alsoprovided which permit the advance or retraction of at any time withoutdisen agement of,

on, the automatic control. For a better underv of the present inventionto-ether with other obiects, advantages and features, reference shouldbe made to the following detailed description which should be read inconjunction with the attached drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a sectional top view of a tape periorator embodying thepresent invention, showing the disposition and arrangem of leverlinkages;

EEG. 2 is a side view, in oliset sections, of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top sectional view of the same embodirnent, emphasizingetail on the drive and tape feed mechanism;

PEG. 4 is a side sectional View ofthe elements highlighted in PEG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the electrical control system of thetape periorator; and

- Eillfll? l 'atented Jan. 14, 1%34 FIG. 6 is a time chart useful inunderstanding the operation of the invention.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, there may be seen a container which houses the tapeperforator. The container includes a pair of side walls 11 and 12 whichare, of course, joined to bottom and end members to complete the fixedenclosure. A removable top panel, not shown, is also utilized.

Disposed in the lower portion of the container is a solenoid assemblywhich includes a frame 13, which may be attached by suitabl fasteners tothe inner container walls. Another frame to may be referred to as thesupport for the perforating punches and other elements in the upperportion of the container as is explained in greater detail below. InFIG. 2, wall abutrnents 15 are shown as the element to which the framesare attached and by which they are separated; however, any number or"well known mechanical structures are suitable for this purpose.

In FlG. 2, only three solenoids P4, S11, and P9 are visible. Thesolenoids are mounted upon the lower frame 13 by any suitable mechanicalmeans. Actually, there are nine punch solenoids to operate nine punchesand two additional solenoids for punch kickback and tape feed, asexplained in greater detail below. All of the solenoids and theirassociated linkages are partially visible in FIG. 1. The major portionof these linkages is made up of identical straight levers 2. through 32.Four of the linkages are disposed in a fan arrangement at one side ofthe unit, and five are disposed at the other side. The inner ends oflevers 2.4 through 32 are interdigitated and are very closely spaced topermit perforating of the tape with very close spacing betweenpertorations.

in the typical linkages 2'7 and it as seen in FIG. 2, fulcrurns areprovided at the points 34 and 35. Those iulcrurns are supported on aframe member 36, which in turn derives its support from the basic upperframe 14. As is shown relatively clearly in PEG. 1, the folcrums are, ofcourse, also arranged in fanchaped arcs. Extending from the solenoid P4is a plunger shaft 37, to which there is attached a link 3 by means of apin The upper end of the link 3? is similarly pivotaily attachec to thelever 27 by means of a pin 43. Similar structure is provided for each ofthe levers and its corresponding punch solenoid.

The levers are connected at their inner ends to punches by means ofadditional pivot pins. In a typical the lever 3% is connected by meansof a pin to a punch 4-7 which, as is the case for the other eight of thenine punches, is free to slide vertically. Two retainer brackets 4S and%9 are utilized to limit the tra el of the various levers when thesolenoids are tie-energized and the levers are at rest. The two retainerbrackets derive the r support from the frame member 36 and may be heldin position by any conventi nal means such as the illustrated screws 52and Each of the brackets is generally fanshaped and extends across thetop surfaces of all of the levers 24 through 27 and 2.3 through 32. InPEG. '1, for clarity, the bracket 4% is removed.

The connection of the lever 39 to the punch 47 has been described, andit is typical of the connection of each of he levers to its associatedpunch. The nine punches which are provided are mounted in closely spacedrelationship for reciprocating mo ernent in apertures formed in a framemember 54 which may be a part of the container top. A die plate 55 isheld in position in alignment with a frame member 5 3, which in turn issupported from the frame member 36. The tape as passes between the framemember 54 and the die plate 55. Above the die plate is a receptacle forcontaining the material punched from the tape. This member is alsosupported from the frame member Each of the levers 27 through 32 has anaperture formed at a point between its fulcrum and the pivot whichconnects it to the punch. In each opening, a spring such as the springs55 and 56 is anchored. The other end or" each spring is attached to afixed guide bracket 59. Each lever is also provided with a hookpreferably made of relatively flexible spring steel wire of the orderor" 0.010 inch diameter. The hooks 57 and 53 depend from positionsadjacent the springs on the lever for purposes further explained below.The guide bracket 59 is supported in fixed position from the framemember 36, and the springs which run from the guide bracket to thevarious levers are under tension to pull the inner ends of the leversand punches downward, as seen in FIG. 2, when the levers are at theirrest position.

Provision is made to kick the punches back positively by means of ashaft s1 mounted across the side walls of the housing adjacent theright-hand end of the unit as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2. Pivo-ted upon andextending from the shaft 61 is a lever having arms 62 and 63. The arms62 and as are bent inwardly intermediate their length and are pivotallyattached to the plunger shafts of shnilar solenoids, 81d and S11, thesolenoid S11 and its connection to he lever arm 62 being clearly visiblein FIG. 2.

A slotted bracket 64 extending between the arms 62 and 63 completes thelever. The bracket s4 is arranged to contact the hooks of the punchessuch as those shown at 57 and 58 to kick the levers 24 through 32 backafter completion of a punching operation. Contact with the relativelyflexible hooks rather than with the levers themselves cushions shock andlessens wear and tear. Wrapped about the shaft 61 is a torsion springon, normally effective to bias the lever upwardly. ctuation of thesolenoids S16 and S11 attached to the inner ends of the lever arms 62and 63 serves to depress those ends and kick the punches back to theirrest position.

Details of the drive and feed mechanism may be clearly seen in FIGS. 3and 4. A motor '73 is mounted on an end wall of the housing and providesconstant torque to a slip clutch on a shaft 74 by means of a belt '75.The slip clutch includes a pair or" flanges 76 and '77 pinned to theshaft 74. The flanges include friction discs bearing on either side of afree pulley 73 which is driven by the belt 75.

Associated with the inner flange 77 is a ratchet-andpawl mechanism whichincludes a pawl 7? pivotally mounted in cooperating relationship with aratchet 8h 'WlllCfl is pinned to the shaft 74. A tension spring 81normally biases the pawl 79 against an adjustable stop 82. The pawl isconnected by a link S3 to the previously mentioned lever 63 whic., asnoted, functions to kick the punches ack after each perforatingoperation by means of the kick back strip s to which it is alsoconnected.

Reverting to the shaft 74, it may be seen that that shaft is mounted insuitable bearings for free rotation and that torque is applied to itthrough the friction clutch. However, the ratchet-and-pawl mechanismnormally prevents such rotation.

T ere is also mounted in fixed position upon the shaft '74 a detentclutch which includes the flange 8-? which accommodates a recessedcompression spring 85 and ball 850. A tape feed sprocket 86 whichincludes a number of suitably spaced detents in the form ofhemispherical depressions to accommodate the bal 1 is held in closeproximity to the flange 8 and is fixedly mounted on a tube 37 whichencloses a large portion of the shaft i l. Suitable bearin s areprovided to permit rotation of the tube 87 relative to the shaft 74 anda knob 88 is provided outside the housing and fixed to the tube 87 topermit manual rotation of the tube and the tape feed sprocket.Theinterrelationslup between the tape feed sprocket and the tape itselfis best illustrated in FIG. 2. However, the spacing between teeth of thesprocket has been great- 4 ly exaggerated for clarity. An actual workingdevice might have 24 or more teeth on a sprocket of the size shown.

In 516. 5, the electrical portion of the invention is schematicallyillustrated. Eleven terminals are illustrated and these may be soarranged externally of the equipment as to provide convenient electricalaccess to the various circuit components. Eight terminals, namely 161 to1%, are shown adjacent the top of the diagram and these are connecteddirectly to one terminal of each of the punch solenoids P1 through P8respectively. The opposite terminals 01"- each of the punch solenoidsare directly connected to rectifiers R1 through R3 respectively. Ac0mmon line 132 connects all of the rectifiers to a solenoid P9 and to aterminal 169. The other terminal of the solenoid P9 is connected incommon with the other terminals of the solenoids P1 through P8 by a line137 to a contact 138 normally closed by one armature 139 of a relay 140.The armature 139 and one end of the coil of the relay 140 are connectedto ground. The other end of the coil of the relay 141 is connectedthrough a normally open switch 141 to a terminal 111 to which positivevoltage may be applied.

Two additional solenoids S10 and S11 are connected in parallel between anormally open contact 143 of the relay 1% and a negative terminal 119which may be at ground potential. A second armature 144 of the relay 149is connected directly to the positive voltage terminal 111.

The operation of the invention may be more easily understood byreferring to the timing diagram of FIG. 6. Although several pulses maybe applied, for purposes of clarity, a single pulse will be' consideredin the following description. The drive pulse shown at A is sent throughone of the terminals 161 through 168, and the punch solenoid of theappropriate punch is energized to eiiect the perforation of the tape.The flow of current in the solenoid is shown at B.

At the same time that the pulse is applied to the punch solenoids, it isrectified by one of the rectifiers R1 through R3 and applied to thesolenoid P9. Alternatively, an independent actuating pulse may beapplied to the terminal 109. The solenoid P9, whether directly orindirectly energized, drives a punch which perforates the tape toprovide a hole to be utilized by the tape feed sprocket to move thetape. The initiation of punch motion shown at C occurs almostsimultaneously with current flow through the solenoid as indicated at B.

When the punch solenoid P9 is energized, it not only perforates thetape, but simultaneously closes the switch 141 as indicated at D.Closing of the switch 141 applies positive voltage to the coil of relay140.

With energization of the relay 140, the armature 139, as shown at E,swings to open the normally closed contact 133, breaking the circuitbetween all of the solenoids and ground. At the same time the relay 140is energized, the normally open contact 143 is closed by the motion ofthe armature 144, as also indicated at E, to place the voltage supplydirectly across the solenoids Sltl and S11. These solenoids actuate thelever arms 62 and 63, triggering the pawl 79 through the linkage 33against the resistance offered by the spring 81. This actuates the tapefeed sprocket and moves the tape forward by its motion. The timing ofcurrent fiow through the solenoids 81! and S11 and the advance of thesprocket are indicated at F and G, respectively, of FIG. 6.

The delay between application of the original drive pulse and motion ofthe feed sprocket to advance the tape is clearly apparent. Only afterthe punching operation is completely executed is the tape advanced inthe manner outlined below.

At the termination of the applied signal, the relay 140 is de-energizedas the switch 141 opens with the termination of current through thesolenoid P9. The armature 144 swings back to its normally open position,and the armature 139 returns to its normally closed position as therelay coil is de-encrgized. The reopening of the armature 144de-energizes the solenoids Sit) and S11, and the spring 81 pulls thepawl 79 back against the stop 82. At the same time, the spring 66applies a rotational force to the shaft 61, raising the lever arms 62and 63 to a release position.

The rocking action of the pawl 79 permits a tooth of the ratchet toescape, and the ratchet transmits its motion through the shaft 74 onwhich it is fixed to the detent coupling. The detent coupling thendrives the tape feed sprocket to feed the tape forward.

The operation of the perforator is rapid and quiet. The utilization ofthe punch kickback system to feed tape simplifies and speeds up theoperation of the device. The friction drive escapement mechanism, inaddition to being quiet, is a highly reliable mechanical component whichminimizes the need of maintenance and repair. The coupling between themanual tape advance and the automatic tape advance permits manual tapefeed in both directions without disengaging with the automatic feed.Finally, the fan-shaped arrangement of punch linkages permits the use ofstraight and identical levers and punching with extremely close spacingas well as simplifying and reducing the number of parts.

Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown anddescribed, the invention should not be limited to that embodiment, butonly by the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a tape perforating machine having a plurality of punches disposedadjacent a length of tape and arranged for reciprocal motion toperforate said tape and return to a rest position, the combination of alike plurality of punch solenoids, means connecting each of said punchsolenoids to one of said punches, means for applying an electricalsignal to predetermined ones of said punch solenoids to actuatecorresponding ones of said punches to perforate said tape, a tapeadvance sprocket mounted for rotation adjacent said tape, teeth formedon said sprocket for engaging holes perforated in said tape, a kickbacklever for retracting said predetermined ones of said punches afterperforation of said tape, a member for periodically mechanically linkingsaid kickback lever to said tape advance sprocket, at least oneadditional solenoid connected to said kickback lever for actuationthereof, and means responsive to said electrical signal for actuatingsaid additional solenoid to retract said predetermined ones of saidpunches after perforation of said tape and to rotate said tape advancesprocket to advance said length of tape and present an unperforatedportion thereof to said punches.

2. In a tape perforating machine, the combination of a p.urality ofpunches disposed for reciprocating motion adjacent said tape, advance ofsaid punches causing perforation of said tape in preselected areasthereof, a like plurality of punch solenoids, a lik plurality oflinkage. each said linkage being connected between one of said punchesand one of said punch solenoids, said linkages being substantiallystraight and identical and being disposed in a fan arrangement, theinner ends of said linkages bein relatively narrowly spaced andoperatively connected to said punches, the outer ends of said lin agesbeing relatively widely spaced and attached to said punch solenoids, akickback lever disposed adjacent said punches and normally spring-biasedout of contact therewith, and electrical means for actuating saidkickback lever to contact and retract said punches after perforation ofsai' tape.

3. A tape perforating machine comprising a plurality of closely spacedpunches arrayed in a line and disposed for reciprocating punchingmovement, means for retaining a length of tape in position forperforation thereof by said punches, a like plurality of relativelywidely spaced punch solenoids, a like plurality of substantiallyidentical and straight links connecting each said punch solenoidmechanically to one of said punches, means for applying an electricaldrive pulse to at least two of said punch solenoids to cause perforationof said tape by punches connected thereto, a tape feed sprocket havingteeth engageable by the perforation made by one of said punches, akickback lever for retracting said punches, at least an additionalsolenoid, a first link connecting said kickback lever to said additionalsolenoid, a friction drive device, an escapement mechanism interposedbetween said tape feed sprocket and said friction drive device, a secondlink connecting said first link to said escapement mechanism, and meansresponsive to said electrical drive pulse for energizing said additionalsolenoid whereby said punches are retracted by said kickback lever andsaid escapement mechanism is actuated to permit limited rotation of saidtape feed sprocket to advance said length of tape and present anunperforated area thereof to said punches.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said friction drive devicecomprises a motor, a shaft, a slip clutch fixed to said shaft and drivenby said motor, said tape feed sprocket being freely mounted on saidshaft, a detent clutch fixed to said shaft adjacent and in operativerelationship to said tape feed sprocket, a ratchetand-pawl mechanism,said ratchet being fixed to said shaft and said pawl being connected tosaid second link, actuation of said pawl permitting limited rotation ofsaid ratchet and said shaft and of said tape feed sprocket through saiddetent clutch.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 4 including a sleeve surrounding saidshaft and freely rotatable relative t..ereto, and a knob fixed to oneend of said sleeve, said tape feed sprocket being fixedly attached tosaid sleeve.

6. A tape perforating machine comprising a plurality of closely spacedpunches arrayed in a line and disposed for reciprocating punchingmovement, means for retaining a length of tape in position forperforation thereof by said punches, a like plurality of relativelyWidely spaced punch solenoids, a like plurality of substantiallyidentical and straight links connecting each said punch solenoidmechanically to one of said punches, means for applying an electricaldrive pulse to at least two of said solenoids to cause perforation ofsaid tape by punches connected thereto, a tape feed sprocket having teth engageable by the perforation made by one of said punches, a kickbacklever for retracting said punches, at least an additional solenoid, afirst connecting said kickback lever to said additional solenoid, a fricion drive device, an escapement mechanism interposed between said tapefeed sprocket and said friction drive device, a second link connectingsaid first link to said escapement mechanism, a source of voltage forsaid additional solenoid, a normally open switch interposed electricallybetween said source of voltage and said ad solenoid, means mechanicallyconnecting sa i. switch to one of said punch solenoids, actuation of asd one of said punch solenoids causing said switch to close and voltageto be applied to said additional solenoid whereby said punches areretracted by said kickback lever and said escapement mechanism isactuated to permit limited rotation of said tape feed sprocket to adVance said lengths of tape and present an unperforated area thereof tosaid punches.

7. In a tape perforating machine having a plurality of punches disposedfor reciprocating motion an a length of tape disposed for periodicmovement adjacent the ends of said punches, advance of said punchescausing perforation of said tape, the combination o means forperiodically advancing pro-selected ones of s punches in response tofirst electrical signals, means for retracting said punches in responseto see ud electrical signals, a tape feed sprocket for automaticallyadvancing said tape to present an unperforated portion thereof to saidends of said punches after each retraction thereof, said 7 s tape feedsprocket having teeth for engaging perforamentic-ned means beingresponsive to third electrical tions in said tape, a source of torquefor rotating said signals.

r.\ a 1 A Q a tape feed s rocicet, said source of torque and said tapeReferencgs Cited m the file of this patdnt feed sprocket being normallydisconnected one from another, means for manually advancing said taperelative 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS to said ends of said punches and meansfor periodically 1,136,682 Driscole Apr. 20, 1915 connecting said tapefeed sprocket to said source of torque 2,002,516 Ackerman May 28, 1935to cause application of torque to and a predetermined 2,377,801 Mills etal. June 5, 1945 amount of rotation of said tape feed sprocket, saidlast- 3,018 040 Wales Ian. 23, 1962

1. IN A TAPE PERFORATING MACHINE HAVING A PLURALITY OF PUNCHES DISPOSEDADJACENT A LENGTH OF TAPE AND ARRANGED FOR RECIPROCAL MOTION TOPERFORATE SAID TAPE AND RETURN TO A REST POSITION, THE COMBINATION OF ALIKE PLURALITY OF PUNCH SOLENOIDS, MEANS CONNECTING EACH OF SAID PUNCHSOLENOIDS TO ONE OF SAID PUNCHES, MEANS FOR APPLYING AN ELECTRICALSIGNAL TO PREDETERMINED ONES OF SAID PUNCH SOLENOIDS TO ACTUATECORRESPONDING ONES OF SAID PUNCHES TO PERFORATE SAID TAPE, A TAPEADVANCE SPROCKET MOUNTED FOR ROTATION ADJACENT SAID TAPE, TEETH FORMEDON SAID SPROCKET FOR ENGAGING HOLES PERFORATED IN SAID TAPE, A KICKBACKLEVER FOR RETRACTING SAID PREDETERMINED ONES OF SAID PUNCHES AFTERPERFORATION OF SAID TAPE, A MEMBER FOR PERIODICALLY MECHANICALLY LINKINGSAID KICKBACK LEVER TO SAID TAPE ADVANCE SPROCKET, AT LEAST ONEADDITIONAL SOLENOID CONNECTED TO SAID KICKBACK LEVER FOR ACTUATONTHEREOF, AND MEANS RESPONSIVE TO SAID ELECTRICAL SIGNAL FOR ACTUATINGSAID ADDITIONAL SOLENOID TO RETRACT SAID PREDETERMINED ONES OF SAIDPUNCHES AFTER PERFORATION OF SAID TAPE AND TO ROTATE SAID TAPE ADVANCESPROCKET TO ADVANCE SAID LENGTH OF TAPE AND PRESENT AN UNPEFORATEDPORTION THEREOF TO SAID PUNCHES.